Heroin is an extremely addictive drug. Approximately 4 million Americans have tried heroin at some point in their life. This article will focus on heroin withdrawal, covering its symptom and duration, and will discuss how to better understand someone trying to quit heroin.
What is heroin withdrawal?
Taking heroin regularly can lead to physical dependence. This means that the person needs to consume heroin regularly to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the dosage, regularity, and the timeframe (when they last took heroin). Heroin withdrawal symptoms will usually occur 6-24 hours after the last dose of heroin was administered.
What are some heroin withdrawal symptoms and how long does withdrawal last?
The length and severity of withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the individual's tolerance towards heroin. Heroin withdrawal symptoms:
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cramps
- Insomnia
- Cold sweats
- Severe muscle aches (notably in legs)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Heroin withdrawal can take between 3-7 days of physical withdrawal. However, complete psychological recovery can take several months.
Can heroin withdrawal kill you?
While withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, heroin withdrawal is rarely fatal. However, people underoing withdrawal will often consume large amounts of alcohol or other narcotics to lessen their symptoms. This can be extremely dangerous and can result in death.
How should I quit heroin?
We recommend checking into a rehab center. We have also written another article about how to quit heroin and a brief summary of withdrawal symptoms.
Resources:
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000949.htm
- www.alcoholism.about.com/od/heroin/a/heroin.htm
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